Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma said that STF and district police have arrested 3 operatives in a joint operation. The arrested people are associated with Pakistan based Shahzad Bhatti Network (SBN). The arrests were made from Dhubri, Chirang and Barpeta.
Guwahati (Assam) [भारत]July 26 (ANI): Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Sunday said three operatives linked to the Pakistan-based Shehzad Bhatti Network (SBN) have been arrested in a joint operation conducted by the Special Task Force (STF), Assam and district police in Dhubri, Chirang and Barpeta.
CM Sarma said in a post on The arrested persons have been identified as Akramul Islam (26) of Beparipara in Dhubri, Dhupiri of Chirang, Aminur Rahman (22) of Panbari and Dabandiya of Barpeta, Abdul Hussain (54) of Kalgachia.
According to the Chief Minister, mobile phones, SIM cards, Aadhaar cards, debit cards, bank passbooks and other incriminating materials were also seized in the operation. Earlier, Special Task Force (STF), Assam on Saturday arrested STF P.S. In connection with case number 06/2026, a coordinated operation was conducted with the assistance of district police of Dhubri, Chirang and Barpeta.
There are connections with Pakistan’s ISI
The operation was launched based on strong intelligence about the activities of Pakistan-based terrorist-criminal network Shehzad Bhatti Network (SBN), which is allegedly involved in recruitment, online radicalization, espionage, logistics, illegal arms procurement, setting up of sleeper cells and facilitating terrorist activities in various parts of the country.
According to intelligence inputs that formed part of the investigation and the case, the Shehzad Bhatti Network (SBN) is accused of working in collaboration with and under the instructions of Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) through Pakistan-based operators and encrypted communication channels. During the operation, the STF arrested three operatives, identified as Akramul Islam (26 years) of Beparipara, Dhubri; Aminur Rahman (22 years) of Dhupiri, Panbari, Chirang; and Abdul Hussain (54 years) of Dabandiya, Kalgachia, Barpeta. 5 mobile phones, 7 SIM cards, Aadhaar card, bank passbook, debit card and other incriminating documents were also seized in the operation.
Used to take support from many Khalistani organizations
The investigation further revealed that the network operates through and is linked to several front organisations, including the Khalistan Armed Forces (KAF), Punjab Sovereignty Alliance (PSA), Khalistan Liberation Army (KLA), Sher-e-Punjab Brigade (SPB), United Sikh Brotherhood (USB), Sikh Tigers of Khalistan (STK), and Tehreek-e-Taliban Hindustan (TTH), which are allegedly responsible for its operational structure and cross-border relations. Used to hide.
TTH had claimed responsibility for two target killings of Punjab Police personnel on February 22 and May 24, 2026. The activities of this network in Assam first came to light during an investigation in Nalbari district, which led to the arrest of an alleged operative on May 22, 2026. Further investigation is ongoing. (ANI)
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